Lexical Summary
gebul: Boundary, border, territory, limit
Original Word:גְּבוּל
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:gbuwl
Pronunciation:guh-BOOL
Phonetic Spelling:(gheb-ool')
KJV: border, bound, coast, X great, landmark, limit, quarter, space
NASB:border, territory, boundary, borders, coastline, area, barrier
Word Origin:[fromH1379 (גָּבַל - set bounds)]
1. (properly) a cord (as twisted)
2. (by implication) a boundary
3. (by extension) the territory inclosed
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
border, bound, coast, great, landmark, limit, quarter, space
Or (shortened) gbul {gheb-ool'}; fromgabal; properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extens. The territory inclosed -- border, bound, coast, X great, landmark, limit, quarter, space.
see HEBREWgabal
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom an unused word
Definitionborder, boundary, territory
NASB Translationarea (1), barrier (1), border (144), borders (10), boundary (13), coastline (3), districts (1), land (1), line (1), territories (1), territory (61), wall (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Joshua 15:47 Kt; read Vrss. Manuscripts compare
Joshua 15:12.
(only in following derivatives found in P; compare also Late Hebrew ,giant).
240Numbers 34:3 (Late Hebrewid., Punicgubulim (plural, PlautPoen. i. 9) —Genesis 10:19 168t. +Joshua 15:47 Kt (but read Qr );Numbers 21:13 9t.; (both, in absolute & construct, e.g. absoluteNumbers 22:36;Numbers 34:8, constructGenesis 10:19;2 Samuel 21:5); suffix1 Chronicles 4:10,Exodus 7:27,Exodus 23:31 3t., etc.; plural (8 t.) only suffixJeremiah 15:13;Jeremiah 17:3, etc.; —
border, boundary,
: CanaanitesGenesis 10:19 (J), EdomNumbers 20:23;Joshua 15:1,21 (all P) compare Obadiah 7, AmoritesNumbers 21:13 (E)Joshua 13:4 (D) compareJoshua 12:5 (D)Judges 1:36, MoabNumbers 21:13,15;Numbers 22:36 (E)Numbers 33:44 (P)Deuteronomy 2:18;Judges 11:18 (twice in verse);2 Kings 3:21;Isaiah 15:8, AmmonNumbers 21:24 (E)Deuteronomy 3:16;Joshua 12:2;Joshua 13:10 (all D)Amos 1:3, BashanJoshua 12:4 (D), Egypt1 Kings 5:1 2Chronicles 9:26;Isaiah 19:19; especially of promised landExodus 23:31;Exodus 34:24 (JE)Numbers 34:3 13t.Numbers 34 (all P)Deuteronomy 11:24;Deuteronomy 12:20;Deuteronomy 16:4;Joshua 1:4 (D), compareEzekiel 45:1; 10t.Ezekiel 45-48; also of Israel2 Kings 14:25;Amos 6:2;Malachi 1:5.
boundary of smaller divisions, e.g. GeshuritesDeuteronomy 3:14;Joshua 12:5;Joshua 13:11 (all D), compareJoshua 16:2,3(J)Joshua 19:12 (P); especially of tribes of IsraelDeuteronomy 3:16,17;Joshua 13:30 (all D)Joshua 13:16 60t.Joshua 13-19 (P); —Joshua 15:47 read see above;Joshua 22:25 (P) &Joshua 17:8;Joshua 18:11;Joshua 24:30 (JE), compare1 Chronicles 6:39;1 Chronicles 6:51; 2Chronicles 11:13;Ezekiel 48:1 15t.Ezekiel 48 (includingEzekiel 48:22;Ezekiel 48:22 q. strike out Co); — in1 Samuel 13:18 read for , We Dr.
boundary of territory belonging to an individual, — of field, piece of ground, etc.Genesis 23:17 (P)Deuteronomy 19:14;Deuteronomy 27:17;Joshua 24:30 (E) =Judges 2:9;1 Chronicles 4:10;Proverbs 15:25;Proverbs 22:28;Proverbs 23:10;Hosea 5:10.
border of streamNumbers 22:36.
limit to waters of deepPsalm 104:9 compareJeremiah 5:22.
, ()barrier in Ezekiel's templeEzekiel 40:12 (strike out Co)Ezekiel 40:12; ()border of altarEzekiel 43:13,17,20; ()surrounding wall of restored ZionIsaiah 54:12 (so Ew Kn Che; De Brdterritory, Di undecided).
territory (enclosed within boundary),
Genesis 47:21 (J)Exodus 7:27 (P)Exodus 10:4,14 ("" )Exodus 10:19;Exodus 13:7 (all J),Numbers 20:16,17,21;Numbers 21:22 (E; "" ) =Judges 11:20;Numbers 21:23 (E)Deuteronomy 2:4;Deuteronomy 19:3 ( )Deuteronomy 19:8;Deuteronomy 28:40;Joshua 18:5 (twice in verse) (E)Judges 11:22;Judges 19:29;2 Samuel 21:5;1 Kings 1:3;2 Kings 10:32;1 Chronicles 21:12 ("" )Psalm 105:31 (= in ""Ezekiel 8:16,17)Ezekiel 8:33; Ezek 147:14;Jeremiah 31:17;Ezekiel 11:10,11; Joel 4:6;Zephaniah 2:8.
territory of a city (orlimit of such territory)Numbers 35:26,27;Joshua 13:26;Judges 1:18 (3 t. in verse);Ezekiel 47:16 (twice in verse);Ezekiel 47:17 (twice in verse) (strike out Co)Ezekiel 48:1;Amos 6:2.
territory about Ezekiel's templeEzekiel 43:12.
plural in like sense (only use of plural), of landMicah 5:5;Isaiah 60:18 ("" )Jeremiah 15:13;Jeremiah 17:13, of city1 Samuel 5:6;2 Kings 15:16;2 Kings 18:8; soEzekiel 27:4 of Tyre.
figurativeterritory (region)of darknessJob 38:20;territory of wickednessMalachi 1:4 (of Edom);territory of his holinessPsalm 78:54 (of Canaan).
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Scopeגְּבוּל (gebul) describes a boundary, border, limit, territory, or allotted portion. While physical lines on a map are its most obvious sense, Scripture widens the concept to moral, covenantal, and eschatological frontiers.
Boundaries in the Primeval and Patriarchal Narratives
• Genesis frames human geography with גְּבוּל: “The territory of the Canaanites extended from Sidon toward Gerar as far as Gaza” (Genesis 10:19). Boundaries organize peoples after the flood and anticipate later inheritance.
• InGenesis 15:18 the promised land is sketched “from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates,” showing that covenant grace sets gracious limits for Abram’s offspring.
Torah Legislation: Justice, Protection, Stewardship
1. Fixed landmarks guard neighborly equity. “You must not move your neighbor’s boundary stone” (Deuteronomy 19:14; cf.Deuteronomy 27:17;Proverbs 22:28).
2. Cities of refuge rely on clearly defined גְּבוּל so that flight for mercy is attainable (Numbers 35:26-28).
3. Agricultural rest in the Sabbath and Jubilee trusts God to enlarge or preserve borders (Exodus 34:24;Leviticus 25:10). The land remains the Lord’s; Israel occupies it as tenant-steward within His set lines.
Tribal Allotments in Joshua
Nearly one-third of all גְּבוּל occurrences appear inJoshua 13–21. Precise topography affirms:
• God’s faithfulness—each tribe receives the lot sworn to the patriarchs (Joshua 21:43-45).
• Communal responsibility—Levites receive cities “within the borders” of the other tribes (Joshua 21:41), weaving worship through the nation.
• The danger of compromise—failure to fully possess assigned borders (Joshua 15:63; 17:12-13) foreshadows later idolatry.
Monarchy and National Security
David and Solomon “subdued all the surrounding territories” (2 Samuel 8:1-14;1 Kings 4:21). Yet the prophets recall that expansion must never eclipse covenant fidelity (Hosea 5:10; “The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary stones”). Apostasy erodes borders more surely than any enemy.
Poetic and Wisdom Literature
Psalms employ גְּבוּל to celebrate divine providence:
• “He makes peace in your borders; He fills you with the finest wheat” (Psalm 147:14).
• Creation itself has borders: the sea may advance “no farther than this” (Job 38:8-11).
Proverbs turns the term into moral counsel—tampering with limits is an affront to both neighbor and God (Proverbs 23:10).
Prophetic Warnings and Promises
• Isaiah pronounces judgment on those who “add field to field until there is no space left” (Isaiah 5:8).
• Micah laments: “The boundary lines of My people are being stolen” (Micah 2:4-5).
• Yet the same prophets foresee expansion by divine action: “I will restore your judges… and you will be called the City of Righteousness” (Isaiah 1:26), signaling secure borders through renewed holiness.
Ezekiel’s Vision of a Restored Land
Chapters 40–48 conclude with meticulous גְּבוּל descriptions. The symmetry reveals:
1. Worship-centered geography—the temple sits at the heart.
2. Equalized inheritance—“You are to divide it equally among the tribes of Israel” (Ezekiel 47:14).
3. International grace—sojourners who bear covenant allegiance “shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes” (Ezekiel 47:22-23).
Eschatological Hopes
The prophets anticipate a day when Zion’s borders are secure (Zechariah 2:4-5) and yet paradoxically borderless—“I will be a wall of fire around her… and the glory within.” Physical limits endure, but God Himself becomes the ultimate perimeter.
Spiritual and Ethical Applications
• Recognize God-given spheres: marriages, ministries, and callings have sanctified limits (2 Corinthians 10:13 uses the cognate Greek horion).
• Respect others’ possessions and reputations; boundary ethics extend to speech and digital life.
• Depend on the Lord for enlargement, not on manipulation (Psalm 18:19).
Ministry Significance
Pastors and leaders steward flocks within appointed fields (1 Peter 5:2-3). Healthy churches honor doctrinal and moral borders while welcoming all whom the gospel brings. Discipline protects the flock; mission presses to the edges of the earth without erasing biblical lines.
Summary
גְּבוּל teaches that the God who separates light from darkness also appoints lands, nations, and moral order. Respecting His boundaries yields peace, provision, and hope; violating them invites disorder and exile. Yet in grace He promises a day when every border testifies to His righteous rule and every allotted portion overflows with His presence.
Forms and Transliterations
בִּגְב֣וּל בִּגְב֥וּל בִּגְבֻל֑וֹ בִּגְבֻל֔וֹ בִּגְבֻלֶֽךָ׃ בִּגְבֻלוֹ֒ בִּגְבוּל֙ בִּגְבוּלֵֽנוּ׃ בִּגְבוּלָ֑יִךְ בִּגְבוּלָ֑ם בגבול בגבוליך בגבולם בגבולנו׃ בגבלו בגבלך׃ גְּֽבוּל־ גְּב֑וּל גְּב֖וּל גְּב֣וּל גְּב֤וּל גְּב֥וּל גְּב֧וּל גְּב֨וּל גְּבֻ֣לְךָ֔ גְּבֻ֥ל גְּבֻל֖וֹ גְּבֻל֞וֹ גְּבֻלְךָ֖ גְּבֻלְךָ֗ גְּבֻלְכֶֽם׃ גְּבֻלֶֽךָ׃ גְּבֽוּלְךָ֮ גְּבוּל֑וֹ גְּבוּל֙ גְּבוּל֤וֹ גְּבוּלְךָ֖ גְּבוּלְכֶֽם׃ גְּבוּלִי֙ גְּבוּלֵ֖ךְ גְּבוּלֵ֥ךְ גְּבוּלֶ֑יהָ גְּבוּלֶ֑ךָ גְּבוּלֶ֙יהָ֙ גְּבוּלֶֽיהָ׃ גְּבוּלֶֽיךָ׃ גְּבוּלֶֽךָ׃ גְּבוּלָ֑הּ גְּבוּלָ֑יִךְ גְּבוּלָ֑ם גְּבוּלָ֔הּ גְּבוּלָ֔ן גְּבוּלָ֖הּ גְּבוּלָ֖ם גְּבוּלָֽהּ׃ גְּבוּלָֽם׃ גְּבוּלוֹ֙ גְב֜וּל גְבוּל֙ גְבוּלֶֽךָ׃ גְבוּלָ֔ם גְבוּלָ֗ם גְבוּלָ֧ם ׀ גְבוּל־ גבול גבול־ גבולה גבולה׃ גבולו גבולי גבוליה גבוליה׃ גבוליך גבוליך׃ גבולך גבולך׃ גבולכם׃ גבולם גבולם׃ גבולן גבולש־ גבל גבלו גבלך גבלך׃ גבלכם׃ הַגְּב֔וּל הַגְּב֖וּל הַגְּב֗וּל הַגְּב֛וּל הַגְּב֜וּל הַגְּב֣וּל הַגְּב֥וּל הַגְּב֥וּל ׀ הַגְּב֨וּל הַגְּבֻ֖ל הַגְּבֻ֧ל הַגְּבֻל֙ הַגְּבֽוּל׃ הַגְּבוּל֙ הַגְּבוּל֩ הַגָּדֹ֖ול הגבול הגבול׃ הגבל הגדול וְהַגְּבוּל וּגְב֑וּל וּגְב֗וּל וּגְב֞וּל וּגְב֣וּל וּגְב֤וּל וּגְב֥וּל וּגְב֧וּל וּגְבֻ֑ל וּגְבֽוּל׃ וּגְבוּל֙ וּגְבוּלָ֨הּ וגבול וגבול׃ וגבולה וגבל והגבול לִגְב֖וּל לִגְב֣וּל לִגְב֥וּל לִגְבוּלָֽם׃ לגבול לגבולם׃ מִגְּב֕וּל מִגְּב֛וּל מִגְּב֣וּל מִגְּב֥וּל מִגְּבֻלְכֶֽם׃ מגבול מגבלכם׃ biḡ·ḇū·lā·yiḵ biḡ·ḇū·lām biḡ·ḇu·le·ḵā biḡ·ḇū·lê·nū biḡ·ḇu·lōw biḡ·ḇūl biḡḇūl biḡḇūlām biḡḇūlāyiḵ biḡḇuleḵā biḡḇūlênū biḡḇulōw bigVul bigvuLam bigvuLayich bigvuLecha bigvuLenu bigvuLo gə·ḇū·l·śa- gə·ḇū·lā·yiḵ gə·ḇū·lāh gə·ḇū·lām ḡə·ḇū·lām gə·ḇū·lān gə·ḇū·le·hā gə·ḇu·le·ḵā gə·ḇū·le·ḵā gə·ḇū·lə·ḵā ḡə·ḇū·le·ḵā gə·ḇū·lə·ḵem gə·ḇū·lêḵ gə·ḇū·lî gə·ḇu·lōw gə·ḇū·lōw gə·ḇul gə·ḇūl ḡə·ḇūl ḡə·ḇūl- gə·ḇul·ḵā gə·ḇul·ḵem gəḇul gəḇūl ḡəḇūl ḡəḇūl- gəḇūlāh gəḇūlām ḡəḇūlām gəḇūlān gəḇūlāyiḵ gəḇūlehā gəḇūlêḵ gəḇuleḵā gəḇūleḵā gəḇūləḵā ḡəḇūleḵā gəḇūləḵem gəḇūlî gəḇulḵā gəḇulḵem gəḇulōw gəḇūlōw gəḇūlśa- geVul gevuLah gevuLam gevuLan gevuLayich gevulCha gevulChem gevuLech gevuleCha gevuleChem gevuLeicha gevuLeiha gevuLi gevuLo gevulSa hag·gā·ḏō·wl hag·gə·ḇul hag·gə·ḇūl haggaDol haggāḏōwl haggəḇul haggəḇūl haggeVul liḡ·ḇū·lām liḡ·ḇūl liḡḇūl liḡḇūlām ligVul ligvuLam mig·gə·ḇūl mig·gə·ḇul·ḵem miggəḇūl miggəḇulḵem miggeVul miggevulChem ū·ḡə·ḇū·lāh ū·ḡə·ḇul ū·ḡə·ḇūl ūḡəḇul ūḡəḇūl ūḡəḇūlāh ugeVul ugevuLah vehaggevul wə·hag·gə·ḇūl wəhaggəḇūl
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